You can organize it in explorer (software on Windows that allows you to browse the files and directories on storage - you are running it whenever you open a folder). Each time you save a file in Microsoft Word, it saves the last time it was modified and accessed. You can then right click on the empty space and organize the files within the folder according to the attribute that you want to organize them by.

If you right click on the files > choose properties > click on the custom tab, you can add tags with data in which to organize them. You can also add information about the file in the summary tab.

I use windows calendar and a file.. myNotes.txt on my desktop, I punch F5 on notepad which dates it then usually copy/paste a url or something with my own keyword to Ctrl+F search for. I do have pretty good recall of my keywords.

I use the same notepade to make a dated note of any configuration changes so i can quickly go back and remember what I screwed up, or sometimes the how to fix ;)

Turtile, what you describe is pretty much what I do now, but I find it so slow. Opening a word document is slow. I need something I can look back on. Ex: you make notes about something that happened last summer. You aren't sure of the date, but think it was summer. You start looking at folders with dates, and each time you open a file it is in Word. You have to keep closing and opening.

There has to be some sort of note program which you can just click open without going through Office.

Mikie, I have no idea what you are describing. The only calender on my machine is in Outlook, which I find difficult to use.

Suppose you are a plumber and you did some work for Mrs. Jones on and off throughout last year. She calls to complain that the water heater is leaking. Plumber needs to find the receipt for the water-heater and contact the company. He can't remember when he installed the water-heater.Mrs. Jones doesn't remember. He looks on his computer under Mrs. Jones. He sees he was at her house 50 times last year. He has to search for the visit where he ordered the water heater. He also has to find the copy of the receipt (which he scanned into the computer) to see if the warranty is still valid.

What happens to me is I wind up with folder after folder and it becomes a nightmare to locate anything.

I'm rambling on. Sorry, just frustrating.

Jane

Why not create a folder for each person, ex: Ms. Jones and name the notes more descriptively, ex: water heater installation. A database is easy to search, but very time consuming to set up and maintain, but may be what you are looking for.

The best way is to use a database. With a database you can search and query to your hearts content. They are a little difficult to set up if you have never used one before but they are well worth the effort once set up. If you have a complete version of Microsoft Office you can use MS Access for your database. If you don't then I would recommend Open Office. It's completely free and very similar to MS Office. See the link below to download it. The Open Office database is called "base".

Here is a link that might be useful: Get Open Office For Free

I totally agree with midnightgardner on the database. An alternative is a spreadsheet. Not as flexible as a database but better than wandering through a folder of word documents. The spreadsheet is also a bit easier to configure compared to a database.

There are also a variety of daily manager software packages that might fit your needs. I used Sidekick Starfish for several years and found it to be excellent. Unfortunately they went out of business. Try a google search on daily manager software.

Bob
Central Arizona

Thanks all. I'll try looking for software which can do it as I have no idea how to set up a data base. I do have Office 07 on the machine, but wouldn't even attempt it. I've toyed with the idea of Excel spreadsheet, but don't know how to use that either.

I'd rather pay for something already designed. Haven't been able to find anything, but I'll try Bob's search terms.

I thought computers were supposed to make life easier, but I find the more information I enter on them, the more difficult it is to locate. I still think paper files work better.

Thanks again,
Jane

Searching around I discovered something called Microsoft OneNote which sounds like it will 'fill the bill.' It is a note-taking program which organizes, shares and has its own search and file system. You can even make audio notes. It allows all sorts of copy/paste from everything including screen shots, web pages, photos and everything can be converted into PDF files and printed.It links to Office and Outlook and mail can be moved into it. Supposed to be quick, unlike Word where you wind up searching through tons of folders, this has a quick keyword search. Organizes like a notebook. Has so many features, sounds too good to be true.

Looked at the reviews in Amazon and everyone raves about it. Costs about $75.00 but MS gives a free 30 day trial which I think I'll try.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Jane

Jane,

You can organize your folders on your computer just like those in your file cabinet. You shouldn't have to look through "tons of folders" to find anything if you name the files and folders descriptively. You don't have to use the name that Word assigns by default.

It sounds to me like your business needs software designed specifically to keep track of clients and transactions. There is probably something designed for your specific type of work. Talk to others in your field to find out what they use. If you feel comfortable telling us what you do, maybe someone here could give some specific suggestions.

Thanks susanjn, I tried finding something, but in the medical field everything comes as a suite - a complete package costing a small fortune. Its just for one doctor, small practice and someway to keep notes and charts for quick reference.

I use Word and have for years. It is slow and cumberson. Difficult to locate notes. I'm not expecting this MS OneNote to be the best solution, but it might be better than Word. I'll try the free 30 day trial.

Jane